The Dialogue began on 2 July 2011 and participants from over 300 organisations[1] from across the Bahraini political spectrum were able to voice their concerns and thoughts freely and without being subject to conditions.
The topics of discussion for the dialogue were divided into four main areas that revolve around political, social, economic and human rights issues.
300 invitations for participation in the national dialogue had bent sent out, with 37% assigned for political societies, 36% for civil and non-governmental organisations, 21% for opinion leaders and prominent figures within the Kingdom of Bahrain and 6% for media representation.
[7] A number of opposition figures have doubted whether the dialogue proposal was a genuine government attempt to reform[8][9] even being referred to as a "chitchat room" for that reason.
[11] He rejected the government's attempt to frame the dialogue in terms of a discussion between Sunna and Shia because the problem and the political crisis were rooted in the relationship between the people of Bahrain and the ruling regime.